Sign.



J. 0. SMITH.-

SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 6,1909.

Patentd June 28, 1910.

t auma-sum 1.-

J. 0. SMITH.

' SIGN. APPLICATION FILED JULY 8,1908.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAY C. SMITH, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN SIGN COMPANY,

OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

sren.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J line 28, 1910.

V Original application filed February 26, 1909, Serial No. 480,207. Divided and this application filed July 6,

1909. Serial No. 506,076.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAY C. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Kalamazoo, county of Kalamazoo, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in signs.

The main objects of this invention are: First, to provide an improved casing for electrically-illuminated signs, which is practically water-tight, and is at the same time simple and economical in structure. Second, to provide an improved illuminated sign in which the lamps are conveniently accessible. Third, to provide an improved sign which is economical 'in its parts and in its arrangement of the parts.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the object of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention iselearIy illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this speclfication, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a struc ture embodyin the features of my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section, taken on a line corresponding to line 22 of Fig. 1", parts being shown in full lines. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section, taken on a line correspondingto line 33 of Fig. 2.

In the drawings, similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken lookingin the direction of the little arrows atthe ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, the casing in the structure illustrated consists of the side walls 1 and 2, the, wall 1 being the front or face side of the casin These side walls are preferabl formed o sheet metal, as illustrated, t is sheet metal being preferred. The front or face wall is provlded with a plurality of openings inwhich the lenses 8 are arranged or grouped to form the charactors or symbols of the sign.

. The frame of the casing preferably consists of the rectangular side member 10. These are preferably formed of singlepieccs of angle iron, the ends of which are secured together by means of the joint splice 11. (See Fig. 2). Thcse side pieces are connected by cross pieces 12 at the top and bottom, and end cross pieces 13. The ends 14 of the casing are provided with ont-turned flanges at their edges, the side flanges being secured to thesaid walls. The top 15 is provided withup-turnedflanges 16 at its longitudinal edges, whicharc secured to the sidewalls, the side walls projecting beyond the frame, as clearlyappea'rs from the drawing. The ends of the top 15 overlap the flanges on the upper ends of the end wall. The top is preferably provided with hand openings 17 having upwardly and outwardly turned flanges, 18'at their edges. The covers 19 forthesc openings are provided wit-h downwardly and inwardly turned flanges 20 on three sides or edges so that they may be slidably en agedhvith the flanges about the hand-ho e openings. These hand-hole openings are arranged so that the lamps in the upper part ofthe casing can be reached therethrough. By providing the flanges at the edges of. these openings, water 1s excluded and the flanges also provide the securing means for the covers 19. The bothangers 24 arranged at each end, the

hangers preferred being in the form of rods having eyes 25 at their upper end to receive the hanger arm 26. The hangers 24 are secured to the cross pieces 13 at the end of the frame by means of the bolts 27 arranged through the cross piece and the end wall of the casing. See Fig. 2. On'the bolts,

between the walls and the hangers, are spacing members 28. This forms a simple and effective means for supporting the sign and the strain is upon the frame rather than upon the sheet metal side walls.

and the solder connecting the walls to the frame and the walls to each otherfas such connection will beg'eadily understood.

The lamps are preferably arranged in the casing so that they are out of alinemcnt with the lenses of the characters, and with also the border lenses with which the signillustrated is provided. These lamps I preferably arrange in series of different colors.

The lamps of each series'are provided with a circuit, as 29, 30, 81 and 32. A common return circuit 33 is provided. This is found satisfactory in practice and results in a saving of considerable wiring. In each circuit I arrange means for automatically making and breal'ring the circuit or connection. This is preferably in the form of an electric flasher 34. The claims to these features are made in my co-pending application Serial No. 480,207, filed February 26, 1909, of which this is a division.

I have illustrated and described my invention in a form in which I have embodied the same and found to be entirely practical in use. I am, however, aware that it is capable of very great variation in structure and detail of arrangement without depart-' ing from my lllVGDlTlnll as expressed in the claims.

I'Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I p

1. In a sign, a casing comprising a frame,

side walls secured to said frame to project beyond the same; end walls having outturned flanges attheir edges secured to said side walls; a top wall having up-turned flanges at its longitudinal edges secured to said side walls, a pair of oppositely arranged grooved supports arranged below said frame and within theprojecting edges of said. slde wall andbottom pieces for said casing sl lably arranged in said supports.

2. In: sign, a casing comprising a frame,

opposed side walls secured toisaid'frame,

said side walls being arranged so that their edges project beyond the frame, end walls arranged between the projecting edges of said side walls, and having out-turned flangesat their edges'lapped upon and secured to theprojecting edges of said. side walls, a top wall arranged between the projecting edges of said side walls and having upturned flanges on its longitudinal edges lapped upon and secured to the projecting edges of said side walls, and a bottom removably suported between the projecting edges of said side walls.

3. In a sign, a casmg comprising a frame,

including a pair of rectangular side members and connecting cross-pieces therefor; side walls secured to said side members to project beyond the same; end walls having out-turned flanges at their edges secured to said side walls, and a top wall having upturned flanges at its edges secured to said of rectangular, frames; of sheet metal walls seemed-thereto; cross-pieces arranged at the ends of said frames; hangers; and securing bolts therefor arranged through said crosspieees and the end walls of the casing to engage said hangers.

6. In the structure of the class described, the combination with a casing, comprising a frame; of top, end and side walls therefor, said side walls being arranged to project below said frame; a pair of oppositely arranged grooved supports secured below said frame within said projecting side walls; and a bottom piece slidably arranged in said ways; the, grooves of said supports being arranged to permit thewithdrawal of said bottom piece.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal inthe presence of two witnesses.

JAY C. 'SMITH. [1,. s] V Witnesses:

CLORA E. BRADEN, F. Gnn'rnnnn TALLMAN. 

